How many pads do I need to buff out my car?

[KMdef9]

This is hugely helpful.

1 thing that confused me

"Correction step = 6 pads
1 for the hood
1 for the roof and trunk lid
1 for driver's side
1 for passenger side"

Was it supposed to be just 4, or should it match the PC?

Thanks Mike

You typically need more for compounding. A previous post from another thread of Mike's said:
1 hood
1 roof
2 passenger
2 driver

Post #6 here:http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...w-project.html

[tenblade2001]

thank you and quick question, are the CG Hexlogic pads equivalent to the LC Flat? I read a review in which you really liked the new Meg's pads.. what about those? BTW, I have a 7424XP

[Stone150]

Thank you Mike for this thread, I was just thinking about this as I am new to DA's. One question I have is, how do pad washers come into play? For example, can you wash your cutting pad, spin dry, re-prime and continue using it or is it recommended to still use a new dry pad since the washed pad will be damp?

Same question here.

[Rod73]

This is great to know! I was going to eyeball the time to change foam pads as I work.

[SameGuy]

I don't have my pad washer yet, but you still want them to be relatively dry after washing. So instead of six correction pads you could get away with three: correct the panel, wash the pad, spin it out, roll and wring it in a clean Terry towel and set it Velcro side up on an old cookie cooling rack to dry while you continue with the next panel. If you have a floor fan you can rig it up to blow downward, turn it to Low and set the pad on it (but don't be blowing dust all over the place!).

[solo3445]

good information...thanks...

[cardaddy]

This is hugely helpful.

1 thing that confused me

"Correction step = 6 pads
1 for the hood
1 for the roof and trunk lid
1 for driver's side
1 for passenger side"

Was it supposed to be just 4, or should it match the PC?

Thanks Mike

I saw EXACTLY what you were talking about.

(BELOW)

For a Flex 3401
Correction = Orange Hybrid
Polishing = White Hybrid
Sealing = Black Hybrid

From experience, you can push the orange hybrid pads further than most pads plus the Flex 3401 simply doesn't care if the pads are wet with product it's going to rotate them no matter what. Not that using a squishy wet pad is a good thing just saying...

One thing for sure, a fresh, clean, dry orange hybrid pad with a top notch compound cuts fast on the Flex 3401.

Correction step = 6 pads
1 for the hood
1 for the roof and trunk lid
1 for driver's side
1 for passenger side

1+ 1+ 1+ 1 = 4

As you noted, Charleston... the PC had 6, the Flex had 4.

Me personally...... with most vehicles I'll use 2 on the hood, especially on a larger vehicle, or sports coupe with a long hood. If for no other reason, it's the place that gets the most attention, that the owner walks by every time they get into the vehicle, that they look down and over as they drive. I'll also use 2 on the sides, 1 on the front half, another on the back, (and maybe 2 on the roof like say if it's a SUV). Then for sure a different one on the front and back bumpers, (albeit that can be a cleaned one that was used already). (But that's just me..... )

[Roger T]

With having a pad washer, a pad cleaning brush, and "cleaning on the fly", I have not had the need for multiple numbers of pads for each process (compounding, polishing, and sealing/waxing.) Am I missing something? Please advise.

Roger T

[cardaddy]

With having a pad washer, a pad cleaning brush, and "cleaning on the fly", I have not had the need for multiple numbers of pads for each process (compounding, polishing, and sealing/waxing.) Am I missing something? Please advise.

Roger T

I don't have the pad washer, but do use both a brush, air, as well as "clean on the fly". I do use pad cleaner, and once all is said and done will hand clean everything. Even with a pad washer however you need the pads to be dry before using them again. Sure, spinning them will pull most of the water out, but those pads are still wet. The critical part is when the moisture gets up near the Velcro and you keep using them.

While pads are not exactly a fortune, they are not throw away either. I can do a vehicle with 4 cutting pads, but that requires rotating them, 'first in - first out' and doing a LOT of cleaning on the fly. Even with that the internals of the pads tend to heat up, which means I don't do the entire vehicle 'non-stop'. So yeah.... 4 can do a vehicle, but I'll take a break, grab a bite, (probably wash them after the first 2 are used, then again with the second 2, then put them on a coke crate in front of/on top of a fan), and hope the first ones are either cool and/or dry enough to use when I start back up.

[Mike Phillips]

This is hugely helpful.

1 thing that confused me

"Correction step = 6 pads
1 for the hood
1 for the roof and trunk lid
1 for driver's side
1 for passenger side"

Was it supposed to be just 4, or should it match the PC?

Thanks Mike

Good catch and match the PC

You typically need more for compounding. A previous post from another thread of Mike's said:
1 hood
1 roof
2 passenger
2 driver

Post #6 here:http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...w-project.html

Thanks for adding that....



The big picture is still...

More pads are better... if you want to cut fast and do the best work switch to a fresh, clean, dry pad.